Strikers show grit in defeat

A depleted South West Strikers showed true grit against former Classic League side Fremantle in Saturday’s women’s Promotion One State league match at the Bunbury Hockey Stadium, falling 1-0.

With seven players from Saturday’s team missing due to youth State commitments – together with long serving captain Jenna Gmeiner and Allyce Sewell – the Strikers held firm throughout the match, which ebbed and flowed.

The vast experience of goalie Kym Hender and fellow defender Anita Scott kept the speedy Fremantle attacks at bay during the opening stages.

Despite this early promise, the stubborn Strikers rearguard was eventually broken in the eighth minute, when Sarah Laidler slotting a fortuitous penalty corner gently past Hender.

Although conceding, Hender was a stand-out for the South West side – together with Alyssa Davidson, Courtney Barton, Dee Garstone and Paige Zabajnik – who made some inroads into Magpies territory with storming runs up the right line.

Matching Hender at the other end of the pitch was lively Fremantle goalkeeper Mariana Grainger, a Spanish international under-18 star, who repelled several late efforts from the home side.

This Saturday the Strikers will be holding a coaching clinic for the youngsters in Collie prior to their match against Rockingham at 1.30pm.

The South West side will welcome back dynamic Allyce Sewell – along with young talent Alyssa Davidson – who has recovered from a bout of flu.

The match against Rockingham is on the Collie turf at 1.30pm, with a large crowd expected to attend.